Nazihah Hanis looks to resurrect career in squash M’sian Open
KUALA LUMPUR: National junior squash player Nazihah Hanis Abd Razak is hoping to capitalise on her wildcard entry to Malaysian Open squash championship next week to resurrect her career.
The 21-year-old Kedahan was among the team which helped Malaysia reach the semi-final of the World Junior Team Championships in 2015, but has since struggled with injuries, falling down the pecking order.
“I’ve always been a bit unlucky with injuries. Now I’m really working hard to stay healthy because it’s back to the drawing board every time I get injured in tournaments,” Nazihah was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia.
“I’m really hoping for a breakthrough this time and I want to make the best of this wildcard and try to be more consistent. But I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I just want to focus on the basics first and get through the first match,” she added.
Nazihah, however, is set to face a mammoth task against the fourth seed and world number 48, Satomi Watanabe of Japan in the first round in the Malaysian Open slated to be held from July 17-22 at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.
Meanwhile, defending champion S. Sivasangari and Rachel Arnold will be vying for top honours in the main draw of women’s division which offers a total prize money of US$15,000 (RM60,753).
Former world number five Low Wee Wern will spearhead Malaysia’s challenge in the qualifying round with seven others.
They are Aika Azman, Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi, Noor Shadira Othman, Angie Ooi, Yee Xin Ying, M. Kiroshanna and Ma Si Yi.
Reigning national champion, Ivan Yuen will lead the country’s challenge in the main draw of the men’s division, alongside 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan and former world junior champion, Ng Eain Yow.
Six other Malaysians, namely Mohd Syafiq Kamal, Mohd Addeen Idrakie Muhd Bahtiar, Ryan Pasqual, Ong Sai Hung, Mohd Farez Izwan and Daryl Gan had had to play in the qualifying round of the men’s division which offers a total prize money of US$35,000 (RM141,713).